MEMBERSHIP
with resource lists and school supplies , to families over the summer ( following social distancing protocols , of course !).
SARAH BABCOCK Truancy Intervention Project Georgia , Inc . sbabcock @ truancyproject . org
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Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
From the lived experiences and lessons taught by both our staff and our clients , we at AVLF know that people of color – as well as low-income tenants and survivors of intimate partner abuse , specifically – are often more vulnerable in a time of crisis . This has been painfully true during the COVID-19 pandemic . People of color are suffering disproportionately , and there is an unprecedented eviction crisis looming as well . What ’ s more , survivors are even more trapped than before , often literally isolated with their abuser , and with fewer resources to help break free .
As the largest provider of holistic legal
services to both tenants and survivors in Fulton County , and with a client population that is around 90 % percent people of color , we felt strongly that we needed to do more to be part of the community response . But as it has in so many ways , COVID-19 continues to present special challenges as we rise to meet that need . Specifically , we must continue to offer our core services to a growing number of clients in ways that protect the health and safety of everyone involved . In addition to your critical ongoing financial support , AVLF needs your volunteerism in order to rise to this challenge .
First , we continue to provide critical legal protection to survivors of intimate partner abuse . We have social workers on staff who can assist clients with various other needs that our volunteer attorneys identify , such as clothing , baby supplies , rental assistance , parking validation – all making your job as their attorney easier – but we need attorneys willing to stand with survivors as they seek safety and independence . If you have already been trained by AVLF , please email lcrowe @ avlf . org to help out .
The Saturday Lawyer Program , which now begins with a two-hour time commitment on a Saturday morning during which volunteers conduct a virtual intake interview of a potential client , continues to need more volunteers to provide legal assistance to lowincome tenants . No prior landlord-tenant experience or training is necessary – AVLF provides extensive support and resources to our volunteer attorneys , including ongoing consultation if desired .
Attorneys with a particular interest in helping tenants who are facing eviction – an urgent problem due to the economic effects of COVID-19 – are encouraged to volunteer for AVLF ’ s Eviction Defense Program . Volunteers for this program are asked to watch a 2-hour eviction defense training that covers the relevant law and procedure . Once the volunteer attorney has watched the training , AVLF reaches out from time to time with potential cases for that volunteer to consider . Eviction hearings have been paused in Fulton County until at least November , so even once they begin , much of this work will consist of negotiating with landlords in an effort to resolve the case . If
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